Concentrations and health risk assessment of total mercury in canned tuna marketed in Southest Brazil

Concentration of potential toxic elements in canned tuna fish: systematic review and health risk assessment

The health risks (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk) were calculated in both adults and children, using target hazard quotient (THQ) and carcinogenic risk (CR). The concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Ni were higher than the standard limits but they did not pose any non-carcinogenic health risks in adult and children's consumers (THQ <1). Meanwhile, the risk assessment of iAs indicates THQ > 1 for children in Egypt. Moreover, the THQ value due to Me Hg for adult in Tunisia and for children in Tunisia, Malta, Portugal, Latvia, Cambogia, Peru, South Korea, Romania, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Egypt was higher than 1 value. In addition, the calculated CR values of iAs for the adults and children were within the threshold risk of developing cancer (Between 1.00E-4 to 1.00E-6). Therefore, it is recommended to continuously monitor the concentration of PTEs in canned tuna.

Review of the Terminology, Approaches, and Formulations Used in the Guidelines on Quantitative Risk Assessment of Chemical Hazards in Food

This paper reviews the published terminology, mathematical models, and the possible approaches used to characterise the risk of foodborne chemical hazards, particularly pesticides, metals, mycotoxins, acrylamide, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The results confirmed the wide variability of the nomenclature used, e.g., 28 different ways of referencing exposure, 13 of cancer risk, or 9 of slope factor. On the other hand, a total of 16 equations were identified to formulate all the risk characterisation parameters of interest. Therefore, the present study proposes a terminology and formulation for some risk characterisation parameters based on the guidelines of international organisations and the literature review. The mathematical model used for non-genotoxic hazards is a ratio in all cases. However, the authors used the probability of cancer or different ratios, such as the margin of exposure (MOE) for genotoxic hazards. For each effect studied per hazard, the non-genotoxic effect was mostly studied in pesticides (79.73%), the genotoxic effect was mostly studied in PAHs (71.15%), and both effects were mainly studied in metals (59.4%). The authors of the works reviewed generally opted for a deterministic approach, although most of those who assessed the risk for mycotoxins or the ratio and risk for acrylamide used the probabilistic approach.

Effect of Storage Temperature and Time on Biogenic Amines in Canned Seafood

Biogenic amines in canned seafood are associated with food quality and human health. In this study, a total of nine biogenic amines (histamine (HIS), phenylethylamine (PHE), tyramine (TYM), putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD), tryptamine (TRY), spermine (SPM), spermidine (SPD), and octopamine (OCT)) were used as standards. The biogenic amines of five canned seafood species (canned mud carp, canned sardine, canned mantis shrimp, canned scallop, and canned oyster) were investigated every three months for 12 months at different storage temperatures (4, 10, 25, and 30 °C). The biogenic amine contents were determined by the ultrasound-assisted dispersive solid-phase extraction method combined with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection (UADSPE-RPLC-PDA). These results showed a detection rate of 100, 60, and 40% for HIS, PHE, PUT, and TYM; CAD, SPM, and SPD; OCT in all the samples, respectively. The contents of histamine and tyramine exceeded the recommended maximum limits (50 and 100 mg kg−1) in the canned mud carp and canned scallop when stored at 30 °C, indicating their potential health risks (p < 0.05). This result also indicates that low temperatures could inhibit the BAs content of canned seafood during storage. Overall, storage temperature and time can be used as the primary means to monitor and control the quality and safety of canned seafood.

Study of inorganic elements in different organs and tissues of Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) from Brazil

Multielement concentrations (P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, and Rh) and total mercury (T-Hg) were analyzed in different organs and tissues of Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis). Samples of 27 T. inunguis specimens, maintained in the collection of the Amazonian Center for the Research and Preservation of Aquatic Mammals, were used, situated in an area highly impacted by gold mining in the northern region of the Brazilian Amazon. Samples of aquatic plants used as food by the animals were also analyzed. The elements S, Cl, K, Cr, and Mn accumulated mainly in the musculature, while Fe and Cu were more concentrated in the liver. Trace elements, such as rubidium (Rb) and rhodium (Rh), not previously reported in the organs of animals of the family Trichechidae, were also identified. The averages for T-Hg in the skin, muscle, encephalon, liver, kidney, and lung samples were, respectively, 0.1540 ± 0.1332, 0.0593 ± 0.1044, 0.0517 ± 0.0467, 0.0486 ± 0.0543, 0.0237 ± 0.0336, and 0.0013 ± 0.0032 µg.g^-1. The values obtained for the vibrissae samples were below the limit of quantification, which allows for the conclusion that this tissue cannot be used as a contamination marker. It was observed that even when kept in a conservation breeding site, these animals were exposed to non-essential trace elements. Differences in the accumulation of elements were observed between the different organs and tissues analyzed. The presence of contaminants in animals that live in a preservation center, even at low levels, deserves attention.

Metal Bioaccumulation and Potential Health Risk Assessment in Different Tissues of Three Commercial Fish Species (Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus, and Pagellus erythrinus) from Edremit Bay (Aegean Sea), Turkey

Metal levels and potential health risk assessment in muscle, liver, and gills of three fish species (Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus, and Pagellus erythrinus) from the Edremit Bay were investigated in spring and autumn 2015. Metal concentrations (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe), metal pollution index, and bioaccumulation factors in P. erythrinus were observed to be generally higher than those in M. barbatus and M. merluccius. Tissue was the main factor that might be responsible from the variations of metals in fish species according to ANOVA and PCA. Hg concentrations in M. barbatus and P. erythrinus were greater than threshold limits defined by international authorities; however, no carcinogenic risks were found for Cd and Pb levels. According to the results, the bay has been negatively influenced by human activities, and further research on monitoring of the biota and sediments is recommended for Edremit Bay and similar coastal areas under human pressure.

Mercury Concentrations in Four Marine Fishery Resources from Rio de Janeiro Coast, SW Atlantic, and Potential Human Health Risk Via Fish Consumption

Mercury (Hg) contamination has caused ecological and socioeconomic problems worldwide. One of the main Hg contamination routes by the human populations is through fish ingestion. Herein, we analyzed the total Hg concentrations (THg) in highly consumed marine fish species: Brazilian flathead Percophis brasiliensis, Atlantic bigeye Priacanthus arenatus, Stripped weakfish Cynoscion guatucupa, and Jamaica weakfish C. jamaicensis. The specimens were collected from fishing landings off the Rio de Janeiro, SW Atlantic. Additionally, we calculate the estimated weekly intakes (EWI) and the maximum amount of fish (MAF) that can be safely ingested, both based on the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The highest THg concentrations were recorded in P. brasiliensis with a mean of 340.59 μg/kg (dry weight) and the lowest in P. arenatus (115.75 μg/kg). THg concentrations were positively related to the δ¹⁵N ratios indicating an increase in contamination with trophic level. All samples showed THg concentrations below the established limits by Brazilian and international regulation. Hg intake via human fish consumption does not exceed the PTWI. The EWI varied from 1.41% (P. arenatus size class I) to 11.52% (P. brasiliensis class II) of the PTWI, while the estimated EWI for "fish consumers" varied between 8.35 and 68.07% PTWI. The MAF estimated for an adult (70 kg) could safely consume between 1277.85 and 7075.50 g/week. This study is an important baseline for monitoring and future comparisons. Therefore, it is important to maintain monitoring of mercury levels in fish species in different marine regions, especially those species most consumed by humans.

Assessment of Trace Elements Supply in Canned Tuna Fish Commercialized for Human Consumption in Brazil

This study evaluates the elemental content in 4 types of canned tuna fish groups, each with 4 brands that are commercialized for human consumption in Brazil. The results are based on trace elements in canned tuna fish quantified by ICP OES and a comparison to limit levels set by the FAO/WHO. We also checked the carcinogenic risk (CR), non-carcinogenic risk (Hazard Index (HI) and Hazard Quotient (HQ)), and pollution index (PI) for the studied canned tuna samples. As and Se concentrations in all groups are above the intake values set by FAO/WHO considering specific groups. The carcinogenic risk values for arsenic (As) in groups are considerably unacceptable (≥10^-4). Hazard quotients (HQ) were >1 for As in all groups, while no sample was below 1 for HI. The pollution index (PI) results show that the main canned tuna fish contaminant is aluminum, then selenium and arsenic, respectively. Only half of the samples did not present elemental contaminant levels. All studied brands of canned tuna presented elemental concentrations that could pose a health risk to human consumption, that could be from CR, HQ, HI, or PI. The contaminant levels are alarming and should raise a red flag for the intake of these products, especially a long-term one. These results urge the authorities to supervise and enforce better practices for this type of food, protecting their population from health hazards.

Formation, Analytical Methods, Change Tendency, and Control Strategies of Biogenic Amines in Canned Aquatic Products: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Biogenic amines (BAs) are organic compounds with low molecular weight and can be used as indicators of the quality and safety of canned aquatic products during processing and storage. However, excess of these amines can cause foodborne poisoning. Therefore, the determination, analysis, and prevention of BAs are of great importance. This article focuses on the sources, formation, and pretreatment methods, as well as analytical techniques, change tendency, and control techniques of BAs, with the aim of promoting more appropriate analysis of canned aquatic products to provide a reference for the food industries.

HIGHLIGHTS

Ultrasound-assisted dispersive solid-phase extraction combined with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection for the determination of nine biogenic amines in canned seafood

This work describes an ultrasound-assisted dispersive solid-phase extraction method combined with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection (UADSPE-RPLC-PDA) for the determination of nine common biogenic amines (BAs) in canned seafood. The pretreatment extraction solvent, ultrasonic treatment duration, and derivatization conditions were optimized. The method was validated on the basis of the limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, and accuracy and successfully applied to analyze four canned fish, two canned shrimp and four canned shellfish samples. LODs of 0.08-0.25 mg kg^-1 were achieved, and the correlation coefficient of determination was 0.9994-0.9997. The method had high precision and accuracy, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) and recoveries of 0.44 to 6.83% and 72.57 to 99.74%, respectively, suggesting the effectiveness of ultrasound-assisted extraction at increasing the solubility of the target analytes in the solvent system and the feasibility of UADSPE-RPLC-PDA for determining trace BAs in canned seafood.